Multicompartment container



Nov. 8, 1949 J. R. BELslNGER 2,487,293

MULT I COMPARTMENT CONTAINER Filed June 17, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS NOV. 8, 1949 J. R. BELSINGER 2,487,293

MULTICOMPARTMENT CONTAINER Filed June 17, 1947 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE YS Nov. 8, 1949 J. R. BELSINGER 2,487,293

, MULTICOMPARTMENT CONTA'INER Filed June 17. 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JACK BELS/NGE? ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1949 J. R. BELSINGER 2,487,293

MULT ICOMPARTMENT CONTAINER Filed Junex 17, 1947 5 SheeitS-Sheet 5 IN1-IIN TOR.

Patented Nov. 1949 MULTICOMPARTMENT lCONTAINER Jack R. Belsinger, Atlanta, Ga., assigner to Belsinger, Inc., Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of y Georgia Application June 17, 1947, Serial Np. 755,158

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in containers comprising outer and inner members and which4 may be utilized to hold differing bulk commodities in separate compartments.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a dual container which comprisesv a composite whole that can be sealed against theft or separation of its parts, and which has two compartments at its interior and permits the separation of the commodities therein prior to exposure of these commodities.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a container having plural inner members which can be individually lled and delivered to an assembly point at which they are combined with outer members serving to close the same, and wherewith these outer members can be sealed together to maintain the structure against accidental exposure of the contents and against the stresses incident to transport.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a dual container in which inner members are provided for individual lling and delivery to an assembly point, at which these members are then individually supplied with outer view as will appear inthe course of the followingTv specification and claims, illustrative forms of Fig. 17 is a perspective view, indicating the manner of folding and assembly of a container practice are-shown on the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filled and Asealed container of the instant type.

Figs. 2` 3 and 4 are Views on asimilar scale, indicatin'1r the blanks employed for forming the container of Fig. l.

sponding to Fig. 9, of the modied form of conf tainer, shown during separation of the two halfcontainers.

Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16 are views, on a similar scale, indicatingr the blanks employed in forming the container of Figs. 10-12.

member.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a modified manner of securing the parts of va container member.

In these drawings, the container is shown with two inner members and two outer members which telescopingly fit over the inner members and abut against one another at their own free edges.

In Fig. 1, the outer structure of the container is provided by a longer outer member A and a shorter outer member B having their edges abutting at the dotted lines E and being sealed and held against separation by a closing tape T which may be of the usual cemented type and overlaps the abutting edges and is secured to the several faces of the members A, B, therewith extending along the individual common planes formed by the side walls at these abuttingedges.

The longer outer member A is formed from a blank as shown in Fig. 2', with the vertical wall portions Ill, II, I2, I3 formed integrally in the sheet and separated from one another by the fold lines I4 which may be formed as usual, when the blank is made of corrugated board, by scoring to assist and locate the lines of fold. A flange I5 is `joined integrally in the blank by a similar fold line I4. Each of the vertical walls Ill- I3 is also joined to an individual end flap I6, I1, I8, I9 across the fold lines 20, which likewise may be formed by scoring: these fold lines are indicated as offset successively with respect to one another,

corresponding to the thickness of the material used, so that the end aps can be folded down to form two planes. The end ilaps are separated from one another by cuts 2l.

The shorter outer member B is formed from a blank as shown in Fig. 3, which is of the same general form as the blank of Fig. 2 except that the vertical wall distance is less. The corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2. with the addition ofv the suflix letter b, wherewith the vertical wall Ib corresponds to the vertical wall I0 of Fig. 2, etc.

The internal members for Fig. l are formed from a blank as shown in Fig. 4, which is likewise similar to the blank of Fig. 2, except that the the thickness of the Imaterial employed for the blank of Fig. 2. For comparison, the same reference numerals, with the suffix c are used for Fig. 4, wherewith the wall Illc corresponds to the wall lil in Fig. 2; etc.

In forming the container of Fig. 1, one each of the blanks 2 and 3, and two of the blanks of Fig. 4 are used. These blanks can be made and 4shipped from the paper factory in the fiat: and

can be assembled at the packing plant by the usual simple stapling equipment. For assembly, as indicatedin Figs. 17, the blank (e. g. that of Fig. 2) is folded about the fold lines Il, so that the end flange l5 is brought against the wall I3, and then is stapled thereto to form a tubular structure of polygonal (iilustratively square) cross-section. For the inner containers formed from the blank of Fig. 4, it is preferred to have the flange |5c on the inside. to give smooth outer surfaces: while for the outer members, the flange I5 or I5b is folded on the outside, to give smooth inner surfaces.

'Ihis tubular structure then has the opposed end iiaps l1, I9 folded down into a plane: and then the end flaps I6, I8 are folded thereover into a second plane. Thus, the two layers of end iiaps t closely together and can be joined by the stitching machine in the usual fashion, so that a strong aridsrigid end is produced.

For packing and-sealing the container of Fig. 1, two of the. inner members are utilized, and these may be loaded individually with oranges and grapefruit, for example, at separate loading tables. When lled, they can then be taken to a place at which the flnal closing and sealing is to be accomplished. These operations are indicated in Figs. 5 to 9. An inner member C (Fig. 5) is shown as loaded with a commodity such as large oranges. It will be noted that the loading is accomplished with the closed and stapled end aps lBc, |8c resting upon a bench or floor, and that there is easy access for the operator in placing the articles in position, as the top or upper end is entirely open and has no flaps or other structures to obstruct the view and facility of loadsmaller oranges to level-full condition. In the illustrative form, the horizontal cross-section of the inner members C and D is square; and it is preferred in placing the inner member D in position to have the abutment line of its flanges lic, lac at right angles to the corresponding abutment line of the inverted inner member C. Thus, the inverted member C has two' thicknesses of corrugated board forming its upper and closing end (Fig. 7.), these thicknesses being stapled together and forming a rigid partition structure within the total container. Correspondingly, the two thicknesses for the inner member D are joined xedly together and cooperate in forming the stiffening partition within'the total container, this effect being increased by having the successive layers located with their abutment edges lying at right angles to one another.

The longer outer member B is now placed over and in alignment with the inner member D, and telescoped thereon by simple downward sliding movement as indicated by the arrow M in Fig. 9. When this longer. outer member B has been moved downward until its lower edge passes the lower surface of the closingflaps |6c, 18e of the inner member D, the outer member B now telescopes over the upper end of the inner member C, until finally the free or lower edges of the outer member B come into abutment with the corresponding and mating edges of the outer member A, whereupon the sealing tape T may be applied by the easy operation of wetting its adhesive, for 4example, and merely passing a sufiicient' length around the container while it stands on the floor with all sides exposed for the operation.

Thus, in the closed and sealed containerthe double thicknesses at the end walls are stapled tightly together and provide strong reinforcing end structures for the packing. Likewise, the quadruple thicknesses, stapled two-by-two together in making the inner members, provide a ing by hand or machine. When this container C is delivered to. the closing oor, the short outer member B is placed over and telescoped therewith. The selection of dimensions between the fold lines Mb of Fig. 3 and the fold lines Mc of Fig. 4 is determined by the thickness of material, so that a tight sliding fit is afforded. The short outer member B has a lesser vertical height than the corresponding` walls of the inner member C, so that the inner surfaces ofthe flanges llb, l9b engage the free or upper edge of the inner member C before the free or lower edges of the outer member B come in contact with the oor (Fig.v 6). Thus, there is assurance of abutment of upper edges of the inner member C with the lower surface of the outer member B, under the pressure for the telescoping.

The assembly as shown in Fig. 6 is now inverted, an operation which is permitted because the contents are now enclosed at all sides. 'In this inverted position, as shown in Fig. 7, the inner member C projects above the free edges of the side walls of the outer member B.

A second inner container D is then placed on the inverted assembly B, C, as shown in Fig. 8. Since the containers C and D are identical in horizontal section, the alignment is easy: and it will be noted that the only lifting of weights is that of moving the individual containers or inner members C, D with their contents. Itis assumed that the inner member D is filled with strong partition within the package to resist bulging of the walls by pressure of the contents against them. The abutmentline between the outer members is spaced along the package from the abutment plane between the inner members lC, D, thereby reducing any tendency of the weight of the contents to cause relative shifting of the members and shearing of the tape T, or shearing of the walls at the plane between the inner members C, D.

The package has large areas exposed for reception of identifying, advertising, and invoicing markings. The surfaces are acceptably smooth under the regulations concerning the form and securing of corrugated and solid fiber cartons.

When such a package is received by a commission merchant after transportation, it can be opened by simple slitting of the tape T along the lines of the abutment of edges of the outer members A, B. The individual halves can then be separated, and thus two separate closed packages are provided. In the illustrative form, where the inner members CD are identical, and when the same are initially filled with the same contents, the receiver thus has two separate packages which can be handled and distributed independently of one another and each containing half the quantity of the original shipment package.

The manner of opening each of these individual compartments is obvious upon simple inspection by the receiver. The half-package with the inner member C is placed in the position as shown in Fig. 6, and the outer member B is pulled eficaces 4, but lacking the end flap |5c. This blank is first folded into a tube, and its walls lllc and I3c conrests upon the floor, whereupon the outer member B can be lifted and removed.` It will be noted that even if the unpacker ignorantly attempts to l separate the vhalf-package of Fig. 7, by lifting thefinner member C, yet the goods are held by the outer member B: and a similar condition exists with respect to the assembly of the inner member D and its outer member A, although in this case lthe usual positioning of the exposed surface of the inner member D, formed by the end flaps |1b, i9b, indicate that inversion is preferable, along with the usual condition that the fingers can not be engaged with the inner member D to raise it upwardly.

A modiiled form of construction is shown 1n Figs. 11-16. In this, for simplicity, it is assumed that the Iinner containers CD are substantially identical with those described above and formed from blanks as in Fig. 16. The outer members consist of a member E`having a lesser wall height, and a member F having a greater wall height. The outer member E is formed from one end of the blanks shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The blank of Fig. 14 is of simple rectangular form, having the vertical wall portions Ille, lle, I2e, l3e joined by the fold lines I4e as before, and also includes the end flange |5e. This structure is folded into a tube, and the end ange I5e joined to the vertical wall i3e as described above. The end surface for the outer member is provided by a blank as shown in Fig. 13 having the central eld 30 joined by the fold lines 3i, 32 with the marginal flanges 33, 34. The flanges 33 are likewise joined by fold lines 35 with the corner flaps 36. The blank of Fig. 13 is assembled with a tube formed from a blank as in Fig. 14, by bending the flanges 33, 34 until they fit flat against the outer faces of the tube, with the corner aps 36 turned inside the corresponding flanges 34. The

parts are then stitched as indicated in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, so that a strong and rigid end structure is provided. The longer outer member F is formed from a blank as in Fig. 13, and from a blank (Fig. having the same arrangement and positioning of parts and score lines as in Fig. 14 but of a greater wall height dimension; that is, the distance along la score line l4f fromedge to edge is less than along the score line |4e of the membei' E. The assembly of member F is performed as for the member E.

The method of packing, sealing and openingof this container is the same as described for the first modification, with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. In this form of arrangement, the end surfaces are totally smooth, and the filled container can be easily slid around on a floor.

It is preferred, in forming the outer members A, B or E, `F to make them symmetrical, or right-and-left, so that the corner flanges I5, l5b or i5e, if abut one another, as `shown in the gures, as therewith the sealing tapefT lies in planes in its contacts with the various outer wall areas.

The blanks and structures described above utilize overlapping of flaps and walls, and stitch-A ing of the overlapped portions to form tubes or partition ends. It is also feasible to employ sealing tapes for one or more connections. -In Fig. 18 is shown, illustratively, the assembly of an inner container member. from a blank as shown byrFig.

nected by a tape 40. Ihe end flaps llc, |9c, I8c are folded down, and then the end flaps IEc, |80. A sealing tape 4I is then applied over the abutment line of flaps ISc, I8c to secure these, and the ends of tape 4| are secured to the side walls Inc, l2c to hold the flaps in their plane positions.

When employed for fruits and other articles where ventilation is desirable, the blanks are provided with apertures at points which are in alinement in the inner and outer members when.

the containers are closed and sealed.

yIt is obvious that the inventionl is not limited to the forms of construction shown; but they may be employed in many wayswithin the scope of the invention claims.

I claim:

1. A container having two outer members and two inner members, each of said members having side walls and a secured closing end, the outer members having identical cross-sections so that their free edges can be brought into abutment, the inner members having a telescoping t within the outer members and each having its free edges closely adjacent the closing end of one of the outer members and its closing end adjacent the open end of said one outer member, the closing ends of the inner members being in abutting relation to one another and spaced from the closing ends of the outer members by distances equal to the depths of said inner members, the side wall height of one outer member being less than the side wall height of the inner member located therein, and the side wall height of the other outer member being greater than the side wall height of the other inner member so thatA said other outer member is in telescoping engagement with both inner members, whereby said abutment of a side wall on one outer member with the corresponding side wall on the other outer member is spaced from the closing ends of the inner members.

2. A container having two outer members and two inner members, each of said members having side walls and end ilaps connected therewith and folded into contact in planes and secured together to provide a closing end, the outer members having identical cross-sections at their free edges so that such edges can be brought into abutment, the side walls of one outer member being longer than the side walls of the other outer member, said inner members being each telescopingly positioned in a corresponding outer member with its own closing end forming a closure for the open end of the outer member and spaced from the ree edges thereof, the longer outer member being also telescopingly engaged around the portion -of the inner member which projects from the shallower outer member, said outerv members providing essentially plane surfaces across the lines of edge abutment thereof, and asealing tape extending across the abutment and joined to said outer members at both sides ofA said abutment.

. 3. A container as in claim 2, in which the end flaps of the inner members form two layers with the layers tightly secured together for preventing change of the cross-section of the members adjacent the closing ends formed thereby, the outermost layer being formed by ilaps connectedto opposite side walls and each flap having an edge substantially parallel to the line of connection thereof to the correspondingfside wall, the two inner members being positioned in the outer members with said flap edges of one inner member at telescoped and assembled position of the parts' with the edges oi' the outer members in abutment.

5. A container having a pair of outer members of identical cross-section and each having side walls and a closing end, the side walls of the two outer members having their corresponding free edges in abutment in the closed condition of the container whereby to provide substantially plane surfaces across the lines of abutment; inner members each having an external cross-section for telescopic sliding fit in `a said outer member, and each having side walls and a closing end; the depths of the outer members and of the inner members being different so that the said abutments are not in the same plane as the ends of inner members when telescopingly assembled into respective outer members, the members being so constructed and arranged that one outer member has its free edges projecting in fully telescoped condition a distance beyond the end of an inner member equal to the distance of projection of an inner member beyond the free edges of the other outer member and surrounds parts of each inner member; said inner members being positioned with their closing ends in juxtaposition and thereby forming a stiiiening transverse partition within and spaced from the closing ends of the outer members and from said abutments; and sealing means extending across said abutments and secured to the outer mem,

bers at each side of each abutment.

6. A container as in claim 5,- in which there are two inner members of rectangular section each formed from a blank providing side walls with an end iiap connected to each side wall, said end ilaps being located in two layers with each layer formed by the end aps connected to opposite side walls, said layers being stitched together to provide thev closing end; the said inner members being positioned in the outer members with their closing ends contacting one another whereby to provide a partition composed of four thicknesses located between and remote UNITED STATES PATENTS Y Number Name Date 502,634 Overbaugh Aug. 1, 1893 695,741 Lease Mar. 18, 1902 901,476 Richter Oct. 20, 1908 1,430,149 Bliss Sept. 26, 1922, 1,881,464 Gagen Oct. 11, 1932 1,983,265 Belsinger Dec. 4, 1934 2,094,783 Belsinger Oct. 5, 1937 2,246,097 Illges June 17, 1941 from each of the closing ends of said outer members. y

7. A container having a pair o! outer members of identical cross-section and each'having sidf,` walls provided by la tubular structure and having a closing end formed by a eld having iiaps joined to its edges and lying against the outer surfaces of the vside walls and secured' i'ixedly thereto, the side walls of the two outer members having their corresponding free edges in abutment in the closed condition of the container whereby to provide substantially plane surfaces across the lines of abutment; inner members each having an external cross-section for telescopic sliding fit 1n a said outer member, and each having side walls and a closing end;

.the vdepths of the outer members and of the inner 'members being different so that the said abutments are not in the same plane as the ends of inner members when telescopingly assembled into respective outer members, the members being so constructed and arranged that one outer member has its free edges projecting in fully telescoped condition ya distance beyond the end of an inner member equal to the distance of projection of an inner member beyond the free edges of the other outer member; said inner members being positioned with their closing ends in juxtaposition and thereby forming a stiffening transverse partition within and spaced from the closing ends of the outer members and from said abutments; and sealing means extending across said abutments and secured to the outer members at each side of each abutment.

JACK R. BELSINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: 

